According to many authorities, this is in chronological order, and Moses was now called after the Ten Commandments (Ibn Ezra; Ramban; Targum Yonathan). According to others, this was before the Ten Commandments, on the fourth day (Rashi; Mekhilta on Exodus 19:10; Lekach Tov; Midrash HaGadol).

twelve pillars... To demonstrate the unity of Israel (Rashbam; Chizzkuni). Some say that the blood was sprinkled on these twelve pillars for the people's sake (Abarbanel on Exodus 24:8). See 1 Kings 18:31.

peace offerings See note on Exodus 20:21. These sacrifices were an integral part of the covenant, and along with circumcision and immersion (Exodus 19:10), they were part of the conversion process for a proselyte in the time of the Temple (Kerithoth 8b). Some say that only a burnt offering (olah) is required (Yad, Issurey Biyah 13:5; Mechusar Kapparah 1:2), but one may bring a peace offering and a burnt offering (Yad, Maaseh HaKorbanoth 1:6).

book of the covenant Some say that this includes all of Genesis and Exodus up to the giving of the Ten Commandments (Rashi; Mekhilta on Exodus 19:10). According to others, it was all the laws discussed up until this point (Mekhilta loc. cit. ), particularly 21:1-23:19 (Ramban; Ibn Ezra on Exodus 23:4; Hirsch), or the admonitions in Leviticus 25:1-26:46 (Mekhilta; Chizzkuni). Others say that it was the Ten Commandments (Rabbi Yehuda HaChasid, quoted in Paneach Raza) or the verse, Exodus 19:5 (Midrash HaGadol; Bachya). See Exodus 34:28, 2 Kings 23:2.

on the people Or, 'on behalf of the people [on the altar]' (Targum). Some say that it was sprinkled on the 12 pillars (Abarbanel, see Exodus 24:4).

under His feet Just as feet come in contact with the ground, so allegorically, God's 'feet' are the attribute that comes in contact with the level below. They are therefore seen as the means of prophecy (Zohar 2:104b; 2:169b, 3:53b, 3:68a). Others say that God's 'feet' denote the ultimate essence of creation (Moreh Nevukhim 1:28). Others say that their vision consisted of the feet of the Throne of Glory (Targum; Emunoth VeDeyoth 2:9). See Isaiah 6:1, Ezekiel 1:26.

sapphire See Exodus 28:18. The Throne of Glory was seen as made of sapphire (Ezekiel 1:26, 10:1). The sapphire is blue, and it may be that they saw a vision of the sky as being below God. Others say that the sapphire mentioned here is ultimately transparent (Sforno; see Yad, Yesodey HaTorah 3:1). This stone is related to wisdom (Bachya on Exodus 28:18), and the Hebrew word sappir is related to sefer, a book (Tzioni). It is also related to vision (Bachya loc. cit.). Some say that this 'sapphire' is like a 'third eye,' through which mystical vision is attained (Raavad on Sefer Yetzirah 1:1), and indeed, this third eye is associated with a sapphire blue color. It involves meditating on a single point (Tikkuney Zohar 7a) and complete quietness of mind (cf. Likutey Moharan 6:5).

brick (Rashi; Ibn Ezra; Ramban; Septuagint). According to some, this brick showed God's closeness to Israel, since the brick symbolized that He had in mind the bricks that the Israelites had been forced to make (Targum Yonathan; Rashi). According to others, this was the brick out of which the Tablets of the Law would be carved (Sifri, BeHaAlothekha 101). Some say that they saw brickworking tools (Yerushalmi, Sukkah 4:3).

leaders Those who went with Moses (Targum Yonathan; Rashi). Or possibly, those lower in stature (Abarbanel).

ate and drank Some say that this was disrespectful (Rashi), or that they lacked true meditation (Moreh Nevukhim 1:5; Ralbag). Others state that they did not need meditation (Abarbanel). Still others say that they made a feast later to celebrate (Ramban; Sforno), possibly eating the peace offerings (Ibn Ezra).

According to others, 'They saw the Divine, but they could still eat and drink' (Malbim). Or, unlike Moses who went forty days without food when he saw the Divine (Exodus 34:28), they had to eat and drink (Tanchuma B. Acharey 13a; Midrash Agadah on Leviticus 16:1; Ibn Ezra). Others say that the vision of the Divine nourished them like food (Zohar 1:135a,b; cf. VaYikra Rabbah 20:10; Berakhoth 17a; Targum; Lekach Tov).

God said... There is a dispute as to whether this is in chronological order, or whether it was before the Ten Commandments (Yoma 4a).

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